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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 1997)
MikeKluck Huskers find respect, look Miami-bound! SEATTLE - With Saturday’s 27- | 14 victory over previously No. 2 Washington, Nebraska has gone from j salmon to stone crab, dishing out a lit- j tie crow on the side. The Huskers traveled to the Pacific Northwest, a place that is ; known more for its salmon fishing and cuisine than its football, to regain their respect. In front of a regional television audience and a sometimes-boisterous j crowd of 74,023, including approxi mately 10,000 Nebraska fans at Husky Stadium, one voice stood out above all the rest. Nebraska senior captain and defensive tackle Jason Peter spent a few minutes before the game remind ing the Huskers of who they were. “I told them when the team came together out there on the field and then in the locker room,' Don’t forget we’re Nebraska,’” Peter said. “We’re the j back-to-back national champions; we’re the ones that have dominated college football in the 1990s, and don’t you forget that. (Washington) has to prove it to us.” Washington didn’t, and the Huskers appear on their way back to Miami and the home of stone crabs, the Orange Bowl and this year’s national championship game. But more important than the vic tory itself, Nebraska appeared to have eliminated the doubters, including myself, and the booers from last Saturday’s win over Central Florida. “It doesn’t matter what other peo ple think about us,” Nebraska junior fullback Joel Makovicka said. Makovicka rushed for a career-best l/y yards against the Huskies. “We have a lot of confidence in the guys on the team, and everybody knows we’re a good football team.” And fans are beginning to have confidence in Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost. After Saturday’s game, before Frost headed up the tunnel to the locker room, he walked over to the 2,000 NU fans in the southwest comer of Husky Stadium. It was different from last week, when Frost was booed at Memorial Stadium. ! “I’m happy for the fans who have supported us through everything,” Frost said. “Those are the true fans, and they deserve this win as much as we do.” With a remaining schedule that doesn’t feature a team in the top 15 or one that is still undefeated, it appears stone crabs will soon be a part of the Husker diet. The biggest concern for the Huskers would appear to be making j sure they don’t serve up an appetizer of foot-in-the-mouth, and trip up with j a loss similar to 1992’s defeat to Iowa State. Kluck is a journalism graduate student and the Daily Nebraskan sports editor. Penn State rips Huskers By Andrew Strnad Staff Reporter MADISON, Wis. — Two of the top teams in the nation squared off at the Big Ten-Big 12 Challenge, with No. 1 Penn State defeating Nebraska 16-14, 15-12, 16-14, at the Wisconsin Field House Friday. The match, played before a crowd of 1,726, marked the f rst time the fifth ranked Cornhuskers were swept in three games since August 24, 1996, against then-No. 1 Hawaii. The Huskers, who improved to 9-2 after Saturday’s win bver host Wisconsin, had a chance to change momentum early in the match by win ning the first game, but NU failed to i convert on four game-point opportuni ties. “The key was the first game,” Nebraska coach Terry Pettit said. “We needed to win the game, but I think this is a match we can build on.” The Nittany Lions (11 -0) jumped to a 13-10 lead before NU scored four straight points to take a 14-13 lead. But the Lions were able to fight off Nebraska to win the game 16-14. Please see LIONS on 10 NU downs Wisconsin By Andrew Strnad Staff Reporter MADISON, WIS. — Coming off a tough three-game loss on Friday night to Penn State, Husker setter Fiona Nepo said she wanted to play with the same mentality against the Wisconsin Badgers. Nepo and the Huskers did just that by defeating No. 12 Wisconsin 15-10, 15-9, 15-12 in front of 5,553 fans at the _ . Wisconsin Field House. It was the fourth-largest crowd in Wisconsin history. “I thought we played great tonight, just like I thought we played great Friday.” Nepo said. “We knew they were going to push us, and we had to push back hard er.” Despite being outhit by the Badgers in the first game .209 .136, the Huskers took advantage Please see BADGERS on 10 „.. ..... . . Sandy Summers/DN NEBRASKA MIDFIELDER Tanya Wright protects the ball from Arkansas’ Clare McKenna Sunday at the Abbott Sports Complex in the Huskers’ 8-0 win. Soccer team drills 2 foes By Jay Saunders Assignment Reporter The team was different, but the result was nearly the same. A crowd of 665 at Abbott Sports Complex watched the Nebraska soccer team follow a 7-0 win Thursday night over Iowa State with an 8-0 victory against Arkansas on Sunday, improving to 6-2 on the season. Nebraska senior goalkeeper Rebecca Hombacher teamed with Karina LeBlanc and Jackie Erdkamp in facing only one shot on goal as the Huskers recorded their second straight shutout. Nebraska blasted Arkansas goalkeepers Jessica Shoffner and Kati Adams with 17 shots on goal. NU wasted no time in attacking the Lady ‘Backs net shooting five shots on goal in the first five min utes. Nebraska coach John Walker said the Huskers continued to improve on offensive pressure and finishing scoring opportunities. Five different players scored for the Huskers, who also got a goal from Arkansas. “I didn’t envision us winning by eight goals,” Walker said. “Any time we can pressure we will create scoring opportunities. That just sets the tone and gets us going.” Senior Kari Uppinghouse opened the scoring with a goal at the 1:53 mark in the first half. The goal, with an assist from sopho more Isabelle Morneau, was the quickest goal in Husker history. But midway through the first half Uppinghouse went down with an ankle injury and because of a rule stipulation, was not able to return until the second half. She did, and had two assists. Please see SOCCER on 10 leam score concern of NU golfers ■ Coach Larry Romjue said his team must be more consistent than it was in the first tournament. By Sam McKewon Staff Reporter A few things need to change, and few things need to stay the same when the Nebraska men’s golf team defends its title at the Kansas Invitational in Lawrence, Kan., today and Tuesday. One of the changes needs to come in the form of the Huskers’ team score. In the ralcon/Cross Creek Invitational, Sept. 12-14*NU shot an 875, and earned fifth place. The Huskers finished 10 strokes behind tournament champion California, but faltered in the last nine holes of the tournament. NU also had a poor showing from its three-through-five golfers, who failed to take advantage of Nebraska having the individual champion and seventh-place finisher. Nebraska coach Larry Romjue said the Huskers must be more con sistent than they were in the first tournament. “We let some things happen that really shouldn’t,” he said. “We made some mental errors that I don’t expect we’ll make again. Still, we have to eliminate bad holes if we want to win.” The thing that needs to stay the same is the play of Husker juniors Jamie Rogers and Josh Madden. Rogers tied a tournament record in winning the individual title at the Falcon/Cross Creek Invitational, while Madden finished seventh. Romjue said Rogers will again be among the favorites to win this week in Lawrence. “Jaime certainly has the talent to be in every tournament he plays,” Romjue said. “As long as he plays well, he’s going to be one of the guys to beat up there.” Rogers said he also likes his chances in the 54-hole tournament. “I’m feeling confident right now, definitely,” Rogers said. “I feel like if I don’t make any big mistakes, I can play with a lot of people.”